Is this ok food wise for a birthday party

[AliasGrape]

DD’s 4th birthday is coming up. We’ve hired a village hall for it, whole nursery invited and 24 have said they’re coming.

We’ve got a number of children coming who are vegetarian or halal - easiest I think to keep the whole thing vegetarian. No vegan guests and none with dairy allergies. It’s not over a meal time.

I’m thinking to do a load of pizza - cheese and tomato probably. Crisps, obligatory cut up cucumber and maybe carrot sticks. Then fruit platters, party rings and I might get some ice lollies and obviously cake of some kind (will cut birthday cake for them to take home)

Is that enough? It’s not much variety maybe but I want an easy life this time! I’ve always really gone to town for any time we’ve had a party or event before, but I’m going to struggle in the run up to this one as there’s a lot going on right now, and from experience of others kid’s parties recently most of it doesn’t get eaten anyway.

Do you think we need some token sandwiches for appearances sake?

That sounds fine.
Don't bother with sandwiches.

That sounds plenty. Our last party I did fruit platters and we ordered in Margherita pizza's and then did the cake. At 4 you probably don't need more than that, especially if it's not over a meal time.

That sounds good, my lot would have enjoyed that at 4.

I wouldn't bother with sandwiches but you could add some sliced baguette just in case you have any kids who don't eat pizza (like my DD) 😁😁
Otherwise I think simple is fine.

I have the rare child that hates pizza and likes sandwiches, so I'd suggest maybe a small amount of sandwiches. I appreciate its rare for a kid not to like pizza though 😂

Wouldn't bother with sandwiches if you're providing pizza.

It sounds good OP and plenty of variety IMO!

You could add in a garlic pizza bread, for the (rare) child who doesn't like normal cheese/tomato pizza. If you add sandwiches, it'll be typical that the filling you choose will be one they don't like!

Sounds perfect. Can I come?

@Babyboomtastic yeah mine is one of them awkward kids that doesn't like pizza but she's not a massive fan of sandwiches either (but would happily eat a slice of bread and butter 😂).
Kids actually don't eat huge amounts at parties so if they don't like pizza they will be fine with just the crisps and party rings (and if lucky half a cucumber slice).

Please provide something savoury for kids who don't eat pizza, even if it's only a few jam sandwiches.

Savoury jam sandwiches?

Pizza is a pita unless you are ordering in or serving it cold.

We did boxes for DTs 4th birthday. Half a cheese sandwich, half a marmite sandwich, Pom bears, fruit shoot. Cucumber / tomatoes and fruit on the tables. All got eaten.

Ok, obviously jam isn't savoury. But at kids' parties they do tend to get served alongside the other sandwiches as part of the 'main course'

Any gluten allergies?

Not that I’ve been made aware of (I asked for people to tell me any dietary requirements).

I get the point about if some kids don’t like pizza. I’ll think about another option.

@AliasGrape mine doesn't like pizza (little weirdo 😂) but she would have been happy with just munching on the crisps.
You said it's not over a meal time. Perhaps let the parents know that "small snacks will be available" so they know not to expect a party tea.

@AliasGrape don't mix crisp flavours all together though in one big bowl !
To me that's the ultimate no no 😂
Never should the wonderful cheese and onion be contaminated by the evil that is salt n vinegar.

How about adding vegetarian nuggets and sausage rolls too?

My DD doesn't like most pizza (too much cheese apparently) but would love garlic bread. So I'd serve some cheese & tomato pizzas and some garlic bread too for the rando kids who don't like cheese :)

Or just baguette and butter (again DD doesn't like most sandwiches but loves bread and butter).

Cut-up baguettes and chunks of cheese would be a good alternative for those who don't like pizza (some children can't/won't eat cooked tomatoes.) But it sounds fine. As PP have said, sandwiches can be an issue (tomatoes again, or egg and cress (popular with adults and older children, abominated by many younger ones.) But it's not over a mealtime, so it's not as big a deal; there'll still be crisps, carrot sticks and cake to chomp on.

Last 4 yo birthday party was pizza: X2 ham& cheese, X2 pepperoni, and two big bowls of chips...
My children ate FA 🤣
They were hungry I had to go on the hunt for food they would eat!
They would have eaten the cucumber though from your option and some crisps.
Have you thought about food for the parents?
Savoury platter perhaps? Sausage cocktails, pork pies, quiche etc.
There's nothing worse than attending 4 yo birthday party around lunch time and having to be there for 2-3h with no food or drinks :D

What about some cheapy garlic bread baguettes? Mine doesn’t like pizza but would have some garlic bread

Also for nursery age id put some bananas out on the table

https://amzn.eu/d/0bp2KfRh I used to do these. Sandwich, cup cake fruit crisps etc. All done the night before. Jugs of juice on table.

Maybe do some vegetarian sausage rolls for the kids who do not eat pizza.